1-D Photochemical Modeling of the Martian Atmosphere: Seasonal Variations
Abstract
High school and undergraduate students, representative of academic institutions throughout USA's Tri-State Area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut), utilize Caltech/JPL's one-dimensional atmospheric, photochemical models. These sophisticated models, were built over the course of the last four decades, describing all planetary bodies in our Solar System and selected extrasolar planets. Specifically, students employed the Martian one-dimensional photochemical model to assess the seasonal variability of molecules in its atmosphere. Students learned the overall model construct, running a baseline simulation, and fluctuating parameters (e.g., obliquity, orbital eccentricity) which affects the incoming solar radiation on Mars, temperature and pressure induce by seasonal variations. Students also attain a `real-world' experience that exemplifies the required level of coding competency and innovativeness needed for building an environment that can simulate observations and forecast. Such skills permeate STEM-related occupations that model systems and/or predict how that system may/will behave.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016AGUFMED31B0870B
- Keywords:
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- 0810 Post-secondary education;
- EDUCATIONDE: 0855 Diversity;
- EDUCATION